Apparatus for shielding operator



G. M. BONALDI 2,924,899

Feb. 16, 1960 APPARATUS FOR SHIELDING OPERATOR Filed Sept. 4, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Feb.16, 19 i G. M. BONALDI 2,924,899

APPARATUS FOR SHIELDING OPERATOR Filed Sept. 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

imgm headm- United States Patent APPARATUS FOR SHIELDING OPERATORGiacomo M. Bonaldi, San Francisco, Calif.

Application September 4, 1956, Serial No. 607,868

6 Claims. (CI. 3814) This is a continuation-in-part of applicationSerial No. 531,945 filed September 1, 1955 for Apparatus and Method ofShielding Operators of Garment Presses from Steam and Heat, nowabandoned.

This invention relates to a steam trap for garment presses, and moreparticularly to an elongated steam trap on the head of a garment pressfor protecting the operator from steam and radiant heat.

In the usual garment pressing machine, the garment is subjected to steamin order to soften the material before it is pressed by the pressingelement. This preliminary steaming is usually accomplished, by placingthe garment on the lower pressing element, which is known as the buck;moving the upper pressing element, which is called the head, downwarduntil it is adjacent the garment; and injecting steam through aperturesin the face of a pressing element onto the garment. The confined spacebetween the head and the buck forms a channel, which directs thereleased steam out of the pressing machine directly towards theoperator. Also, when badly wrinkled cloth is given a preliminary bucksteaming with steam from the buck while the head of the garment press isopen, steam spurting upwards from the buck is deflected towards theoperator. In addition, the pressing elements of the presser becomeextremely hot, and the operator is constantly subjected to radiant heatfrom the pressing machine even during the intervals when the garment isnot being steamed.

Since the operator of a garment presser is subjected to steam and heatfor protracted periods, his resistance becomes very low.

Furthermore, the clouds of steam and the radiant heat interfere with theoperators vision and greatly slow down his rate of work.

Although this problem has existed for many years,

no satisfactory means of eliminating the steam andheat has been devised.Some of the suggested solutions include special cabinets for separatingthe operator from the steam and heat, andfair blasts between theoperator and the pressing elements to drive away the heat and steam. Oneproposedmethod which involved fairly extensive structural changes in thegarment presser is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No.2,488,220. However, none of the apparatus or methods heretoforesuggested have proven to be satisfactory, and machines now on the marketdo not generally contain any means for protecting the operator fromsteam and heat.

Summarizing this invention, it comprises the provision on the upperpressing element or the head of a garment pressing machine of anelongated steam trap or shield, which deflects steam into a trough thatchannels the trapped steam away from the operator. The steam trap isadvantageously formed in the shape of an inverted trough by means of arear side wall attached to the upper pressing element and extendingoutwardly from the head to join a front side wall that ends in a steamdeflecting lip spaced from and extending below the outer edge of thehead. The side walls define a chamber open at the bottom which traps therising deflected steam.

In order toprotect the operator fromsteam rising from the machine theelongated steam trapyis placed on the side of the machine that faces theoperator; ,In this position, the steam trap alsoserves as a shield forprotecting the operator from radiant heat. For most effec tiveshielding, the steam trap is either composed of heat insulating materialor provided with, a covering of in-i sulating material. The method ofthis inventionutilizes the tendency of steam to rise, and the steam istrapped and diverted before it reaches the operator. t

To increase the efiectiveness' of the shieldpblowers connected by meansof flexible hose to vents on the-top curve of the shield completelyremove all steam from the area of the operator by suction. The innersurfaces of the shield are covered with fiock,which absorbs [anycondensation formed when the presser is in continuous operation. Alsothe trough is fittedwith a removable rod covered with some absorbentmaterial such as felt or velvet to further absorb any moisture that mayform. Some operators work rapidly and use a greater amount of steam andby using this rod, plus flock, plus suction the problem of acondensation forming 'is solved. Should the covering on the rod becomemoisture laden, the operator may remove it and press the moisture fromit.

The shield is also equipped with properly insulated lights which is agreat help to the operator especially when working on dark-coloredmaterials. The constant movement of air caused by the suction, aids inkeeping the light bulbs from becoming over-heated. .In most cleaningplants or shops conventional lighting from celling fixtures is too faraway from the buck and thiscauses the head to cast a shadowon the buck.This shadow is eliminated by having the light attached at each-side ofthe shields inner chamber and shining from under the head and not. inthe operators face. 1 There is a device casting a light from behind themachine but .it has been unsatisfactory because it shines into theoperators eyes. r t An operator uses pins constantly in his work andthere is no provision now for a convenient place to keep them near theoperatora place where they can be reached easily and yet not in the wayof the'garments. There are two pads for this purpose on eachend of thefront side of the shield where they canbe reached quickly and easilywithout moving.

Provision is also .made to cover the open ends of the trough in such away as to protect the eyes of adjacent operators in a plant from glarefrom the lights while still leaving an opening for the steam inthatarea' to be removed by the suction. In a previous attempt at solvingthis problem there is a hood arrangement covering the circumference ofthe head and using a fan to suction the steam away from the operator.This makes the head heavy and unwieldy and the fan is not as effectiveas the suction of the blowers. Also in previous attempts at using aircirculation devices the purposes of the air current was to dry thecloth' rather than to shield the operator.

The shield I have described is very light in weight and the motorscreating'the suction are mounted at the hinge of the presser so thatwhile they move with the raising and lowering of the head there is nofeeling of weight With reference to the drawings:

Fig. -1 is a rear view of the steam trap of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the steam trap of this invention."

Fig. '3 is a view from above'looking directly down into the steam trap.i Fig. 4 is a view from below showing the position of the lightfixtures.

-FigL-5 is a fragmentary vertical section of the steam trap taken on theline'55 of Fig. 1. -Fig. 6 is an isometric front view of a garmentpressing r nachine including the steam trap of this invention installedwith hose and blowers.

Fig. 7 shows the cloth covered metal rod that fits into the troughformed on the lower edge of the front of the steam trap of thisinvention.

In greater detail, the steam trap 2 is attached to the usual garmentpressing machine 3, which is of the type that may be found in almost anydry cleaning and pressing establishment. The garment pressing machinehas a base-4 for supporting the remainder of the machine and for housingthe usual levers and vacuum lines controlled by the feet of theoperator. Table 6 is supported on base 4, and in turn the table supportsbuck stand 7 and buck 8, which is the stationary lower pressing elementof the machine. The head 9 serves as the upper pressing element, and itis mounted on pressing lever 11 Thehead 9 is readily lowered by pressureon central footlever 12, which "actuates pressing lever 11, and the headis automatically returned by springs, not shown, to the raised positionwhen the foot lever 12 is released. Hand controlled bar lever 13 mountedon head 9 provides an additional means of controlling the position ofthe head, and for exerting pressure by hand during the pressingoperation.

Chamber 14 in the buck is filled with steam for softening a garment byactuation of buck steam foot pedal 16 which-regulates steam enteringchamber 14 through steam inlet pipe 1 7 housed in'base 4. In order towithdraw excess steam from the garment during the pressing operation,the garment pressing machine is supplied with the usual exhaust line 18also housed in base 4 which communicates with buck chamber 14. Thevacuum exerted through exhaust line 18 is governed by foot pedal19through any customary lever and valve arrangement, not shown. Both thevacuum and buck steam are transmitted to the surface of the buck 8through small orifices in the top pressing surface of the buck. Porousfabric is usually secured to the top of the buck 8 by any convenientmeans such as a hook and tension spring.

In the conventional utility pressing machine illustrated in the drawingsteam is injected into the chamber 21 of the head 9 through flexiblemetallic tubing not shown. The entry of steam into chamber 21 iscontrolled by hand lever 22 which in turn regulates a valve seated onthe head. The steam passes through orifices in the head 9 and is furtherdivided as it fiows through minute openings in metal grid plate 9a,which is attached to the head 9 by coil tension springs 9b. The gridplate not only divides the steam that passes through but it also servesas a smooth pressing surface for the garment. -However, the steamtrapofthis invention may be utilized for shielding the operator fromsteamgiven off from the buck in a garment presser that hasa polishedhead without steam outlets. When the operator releases steam with handlever 22, his hand resting on handle. 13, a certain amount of steamescapes between the head and the screen toward his hand. To protect thehand of the operator, rear wall 24 is fitted with a small strip of somemetal, preferably aluminum, 20.-

The steam trap 2 comprises a front wall 23 which joins with a rear wall24 to form an elongated steam anneling PP Q- Pd-QQ inve d m sh- The f oma 23 extends lower than rear wall 24 to provide a steam deflecting lip26.

In order to prevent the small amount of water formed by steam thatcondenses in the steam trap from dripping on the garment or theoperator, the steam deflecting lip is curved rearwardly and upwardly toform a collecting trough 27. Collecting trough 27 is fitted with anabsorbent cloth covered rod 28 and stopper 29. Inner surfaces of thetrap may be coated if so desired coated with material known as flockmaking an absorbent surface as at 31. Should it be necessary rod 28 maybe quickly removed and moisture pressed from it. Necessity for thisdepends upon the machine, the operator and the speed of operation.

Front and rear walls are joined on the lower edge at each end 32 of thetrap to provide for the installation of lighting fixtures 33 and arefitted on each open end with a guard 34 to keep light glare from theeyes of adjacent operators while still allowing free passage for steamand suction. Light sockets are fastened to ends 32 of trap by 'means ofclip andbolt attachment 30.

In order to most effectively shield the operator from radiant heat thatis emitted from the pressing elements, heat insulating material 36composed of any material customarily employed for such purpose, such asasbestos or Fiberglas, is secured to the front wall 23 of the steam trap2 by means of bolts 37. Due to the location and configuration of thesteam trap 2 on the head 9, it is interposed between the hot pressingelements and the operators head, thereby eifecting a great reduction inthe radiant heat that is directed towards the operators face.

Steam trap 2 is connected to pressing machine 3 by means of metal clips38 secured with bolts 39 to the brackets of lifting handle 13.

Vents 41 on the top curve of steam trap 2 are fitted with stacks 42 tobe connected to suction source by means of flexible hose43. Suction iscreated by two blowers 44 installed at the hinge 46 of garment pressingmachine 3. Installed at this position on the machine the blowers andhose move with "the head without in any way disturbing the balance ofthe machine. There is no feeling of weight. Also since the motors orblowers pivot on the hinge as the head is raised and lowered and sincethe steam trap is connected to the head there is nomovement of the hoseitself consequently no wear on the hose. The steam that is su'ctionedaway from the operator is drawn to the rear of the machinethru theblowers and emitted toward the floor where it dissipates harmlessly.

In operation the head 9 of the garment pressing machine Sis raised andthe garment is placed on the buck 8. If the garment is'badly wrinkled,it is given a preliminary buck steaming by application of pressure onbuck steam foot pedal 16 The steam spurts into buck chamber 14 and outof orifices into the garment, from where the steam rises upwards withforce towards head 9. As the steam flows outward curling down and aroundhead 9, it moves directly toward the face of the operator, causing himto step backwards. This is almost a reflex motion with operators ofgarment pressing machines. As a presser I have found that this constantflow of steam against the eyes is very annoying and harmful. With thisdevice, as the steam hits the head andcurling forward, passes the steamtrap the suction removes it completely from that area.

For pressing the usual garment that is not badly wrinkled, buck steamingis not necessary. In either case, the head 9 is then brought downadjacent the garment on buck 8, and steam is injected into the garmentthrough one of the pressing elements. Generally, the head steam isutilized for this purpose by pressing hand lever 22 to release steaminto head chamber 21. The released steam spurts through the grid plateonto the garment. The space between the head. and the buck forms aconfined channel through which steam spurts out of the sides of thepressing elements. If the trap 2 of this invention 'not employed, theoperator is subjected to the flowing steam.

However, when the steam trap 2 of this invention is employed, the steamis directed against steam deflecting lip 26 and rises into the invertedtrough where it is removed through the vents by the suction action. Thepressing is completed by exhausting the excess steam and exertingpressure on the garment through head 9.

Steam deflecting lip 26 of the steam trap 2 extends outwardly from thehead 9 in order to provide space for the rising steam to enter the trap,and the lip also extends below the outer or forward edge of head 9 sothat it will deflect steam spurting out between the pressing elements.However, for best results the steam deflecting lip 26 should not extendfar below the upper edge of the buck so that the lip of the trap willnot interfere with the garment being pressed. Although the lip 26 couldbe eliminated by employing a wide trap extending a substantial distanceoutwards from the head, such a trap would be very cumbersome, and wouldinterfere with the operator.

The artist has shown the trap to be the same length as the front edge ofthe head 9 (Fig. 6). Such is not necessary--the trap can reach to withinfour inches of each end of the head. Since there are machines built inseveral different lengths, i.e. 52 inches, 45 inches 42 or 38 inches,the steam trap may also be built in different lengths.

Attachment of the steam trap 2 to the head 9 in accordance with thisinvention provides many advantages. The steam trap 2 is moved up anddown with the head 9, and thus is out of the way of the operator. Itutilizes the tendency of steam to rise, and it may be placed on anyshape of head in a garment pressing machine. Furthermore, the steam trapshields the operator from radiant heat, and it is simple and economicalto construct. If desired, the steam trap can be made an integral part ofthe head 9 of the garment pressing machine. Used as shown complete withhose and suction creating power this invention provides an easilyconstructed and practicable means of rendering working conditions morecomfortable for the operator of a garment pressing ma chine, and therebygreatly increasing his capacity for work.

What is claimed as new is:

1. For use on a garment pressing machine of the type having an upperpressing element which has a front edge and which is movable toward andaway from a stationary lower pressing element which has means forapplication of steam through the pressing face of the same, a steam trapto shield an operator standing in front of the pressing machine fromsteam comprising a rear wall adapted to be positioned forwardly of thefront edge of the upper pressing element and adapted to extendupwardly'therefrom, a front wall spaced from said rear wall, the upperportion of said front and rear walls extending toward one another andunited to form an open ended inverted trough positioned forwardly of thefront edge of the upper pressing element, heat insulating materialdisposed on the front wall, said front wall including a steam deflectinglip extending below the edge of said upper pressing element and adaptedto extend rearwardly toward the pressing element whereby steam flowingpast the front edge of the upper pressing element toward the operator ofthe pressing machine is deflected by said lip into said inverted troughand channeled away from the operator.

2. For use on a garment pressing machine of the type having an upperpressing element which has a front edge and which is movable toward andaway from a stationary lower element which has means for application ofsteam through the pressing face of the same a steam trap to shield anoperator standing in front of the pressing ma.- chine from steam whichsprays toward the operator comprising a rear wall adapted to bepositioned forwardly of the front edge of the upper pressing element andadapted to extend upwardly therefrom, a front wall spaced from said rearwall, the upper portion of said front and rear walls extending toward.one another and united to form an open ended inverted trough adapted tobe positioned forwardly of the front edge of the upper pressing element,the lower portion of said front wall extending below the level of thefront edge of the upper pressing element, the front wall having a steamdeflecting lip with a lower edge portion which'is adapted to extendinwardly toward the upper pressing element and upwardly toward theinverted trough to thereby form a smaller elongated trough for receptionof condensate which is formed in the steam trap.

3. For use on a garment pressing machine of the type having an upperpressing element which has a front edge and which is movable toward andaway from a stationary lower pressing element which has means forapplication of steam to the pressing face of the same a steam trap toshield an operator from steam escaping past said front edge comprising arear wall adapted to be positioned forwardly of the front edge of theupper pressing element and adapted to extend upwardly therefrom, a frontwall spaced from said rear wall, the upper portion of said front andrear walls extending toward one another and united to form an open endedinverted trough adapted to be positioned forwardly of the front edge ofthe upper pressing element, the lower portion of said front wall adaptedto extend below the level of the forward edge of the upper pressingelement, the lower edge of said wall adapted to extend rearwardly towardthe upper pressing element and upwardly toward the trough to form asmaller trough for reception of condensate which forms in saidsteamtrap, and a re movable absorbent rod or plunger disposed in said smallertrough adapted to absorb condensate trapped in said smaller trough.

4. For use on a garment pressing machine of the type having an upperpressing element which has a front edge and which is movable toward andaway from a stationarv lower pressing element which has means forapplication of steam through the pressing face of the same, a steam trapto shield the operator standing in front of the machine from escapingsteam comprising a rear wall adapted to be positioned forwardly of thefront edge of the upper pressing element and adapted to extend upwardlytherefrom, a front wall spaced from said rear wall, the upper portion ofsaid front and rear walls extending toward one another and united toform an open ended inverted trough adapted to be positioned forwardly ofthe front edge of the upper pressing element, and insulated lightsockets secured to each end of said trough for holding electric lamps.

5. For use on a garment pressing machine. of the type having an upperpressing element which has a front edge and which is movable toward andaway from a stationary lower pressing element which has means forapplication of steam through the pressing face of the same, a steam trapto shield an operator standing in front of the pressing machine fromescaping steam which comprises a rear wall adapted to be positionedforwardly of the front edge of the upper pressing element and adapted toextend upwardly therefrom, a front wall spaced from said rear wall, theupper portion of said front and rear walls extending toward one anotherand united to form an open ended inverted trough adapted to bepositioned forwardly of the front edge of the upper pressing element,the lower portion of said front wall adapted to extend below the levelof the front edge of the upper pressing element whereby steam flowingpast the front edge of the pressing element toward the operator of thepressing machine is trapped in the inverted trough and channeledlaterally away from the operator, and guard means disposed at the endsof said trough serving to deflect steam travelling laterally from saidtrough.

6. For use on a garment pressing machine of the type having, an upperpressing element which has a front edge and which is movable toward andaway from a stationary lower pressing element which has means forapplication of steam to the pressing face of the same a steam trap toshield an operator standing front of the pressing machine from steamescaping therefrom comprising a rear wall adapted to be positionedforwardly of the front edge of the upper pressing element and adapted toextend upwardly therefrom,-a front wall spaced from said rear wall, theupper portions of said front and rear walls extending toward'one anotherand united to form an open ended inverted trough adapted to bepositioned forwardly of the front edge of theupper pressing element, thelower portion of said front wall adapted to extend below the level ofthe front edge of the upper pressing element whereby steam flowing pastthe front edge of the upper 8 pressing element toward the operator ofthe pressing machine is trapped in the inverted trough, vents formed inthe closed portion of said trough, a vacuum source, and a vacuum lineserving to connect said vents to said VHCUUBII source.

7 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

